National Child Abuse Prevention Month

April was proclaimed the first National Child Abuse Prevention Month in 1983. Over three decades later, families and communities continue to work together to encourage the well-being of children and share child abuse and neglect prevention strategies throughout the month of April. The blue ribbon campaign started in 1989 and are displayed nationwide to promote awareness and prevention.

Pinwheels for Prevention

Prevent Child Abuse America was founded in 1972 to ensure healthy development of children nationwide in 50 states including all territories such as Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands and Canada. Its successes brought the Pinwheels for Prevention® campaign in 2008. Blue pinwheels are showcased across the nation and represent a happy, uplifting childhood.

Statistics*

2014 Texas Department of Family and Protective Services

Child population

7.3 million

Alleged victims of child abuse/neglect

273,091 victims

Confirmed victims of child abuse/neglect

106.318 victims

DFPS child abuse/neglect-related fatalities

151 fatalities

The most common… in percentages (%)

Person reporting abuse/neglect for completed investigations

18.6 school
17.5 medical personnel

Allegation confirmed

67.3 neglectful supervision

Confirmed perpetrator of abuse/neglect

78.9 parent
56.6 female
40.6 ages 26 to 35

Confirmed perpetrator of abuse/neglect

22.7 ages 1 to 3
51.1 female

2014 Houston Region Data

Child population

1.8 million

Alleged victims of child abuse/neglect

48,398 victims

Confirmed victims of child abuse/neglect

9,020 victims

DFPS child abuse/neglect-related fatalities

27 fatalities

*Reference: Texas Department of Family and Protective Services. 2015. Data Book 2014.

Tips on Prevention*

For strategies on child abuse prevention, click here to download English and Spanish version of these tip sheets provided by Child Welfare and created by federal agencies and national organizations. Also, visit Escape Family Resource Center at learntoparent.org for positive information on parenting.

Many physicians affiliated with Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital are faculty at McGovern Medical School at UTHealth. The affiliated physicians from McGovern Medical School consults with patients at UT Physicians clinic with all advanced treatments provided at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital.